PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE MEDICAL WITHDRAWAL RULES IN THE GENERAL INFORMATION CATALOG

On behalf of the Educational Policy Committee (EPC), Professor Janet Staiger (radio-television-film) has submitted the following proposal that clarifies the medical withdrawal rules under Withdrawals in chapter 4, Academic Policies and Procedures in the General Information Catalog (GIC).

On April 19, 2012, the EPC approved the revision in the language to make the rule and process clearer. The Faculty Council has the authority to approve this legislation on behalf of the General Faculty. The authority to grant final approval resides with UT System.

The secretary has classified this proposal as legislation of general interest to more than one college or school and is being put forward to the Faculty Council on a no-protest basis. If no objection is filed with the Office of the General Faculty by May 4, 2012, the legislation will be held to have been approved by the Faculty Council. If an objection is filed within the prescribed period, the legislation will be presented to the Faculty Council at its May 14 meeting. The objection, with reasons, must be signed by a voting member of the Faculty Council.
Sue Alexander Greninger, Secretary
General Faculty and Faculty Council

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE MEDICAL WITHDRAWAL RULES IN THE GENERAL INFORMATION CATALOG

Withdrawal,
pg. 96 2011-2012 GIC

Medical withdrawal. [A medically ill student whose condition precludes class attendance] After the last day for withdrawing, a student who has an urgent, substantiated, and significant medical or mental health condition which impacts the student’s academic functioning may be withdrawn from the University as of the date, and under the conditions, specified at the time of the withdrawal. A student must request a medical withdrawal from UHS/CMHC by the last class day. Forms must be returned to UHS/CMHC before the first day of final exams. A student who requests medical withdrawal must submit copies of medical records from each medical and mental health care provider treating the condition. The medical records must include the date of onset of the illness or injury, dates of care, and diagnosis and prognosis. If the withdrawal is approved, the registrar and other appropriate officials will be notified. Specific information about the medical withdrawal process is available at http://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/medicalwithdrawals.html.

RATIONALE:

Medical withdrawals for mental health reasons account for about 75% of medical withdrawals. The standard of “precludes class attendance” is more applicable to physical limitations, but is an insufficient standard for mental health limitations. The new language sets a standard that is applicable to students with either significant mental health or physical issues.

While there is value in students exercising all options to complete a class successfully, there is also the sense that students should be deliberate when deciding to withdraw from the University and a date by which they must to do. Stating the deadline to request the withdraw as the last class day and submitting the form before the first day of final exams is consistent with policies such as the policy for dropping a class and demonstrates the student’s intent before taking finals and potentially knowing or receiving the final grade for the course.